Matt Turner was the hero for USA, who won the derby against Canada en route to the Gold Cup semi-finals

Posted On: July 11, 2023

The United States have dominated Concacaf in recent years, but reached the Gold Cup without big obligations. The US team prioritized the dispute for the Nations League, won in mid-June and sent a B team to the main continental tournament. Despite everything, the United States have an impeccable campaign in the Gold Cup and continue with a good chance of winning the title. In the quarter-finals on Sunday, the Americans faced Canada – who also spared their main stars, but retained a greater number of players in the starting XI. Despite this, Team USA advanced in a dramatic penalty shootout, after a 2-2 draw with the ball. His hero was precisely the “most consistent on the team”, goaltender Matt Turner, who saved two Canadian penalties and secured the 3-2 victory at the white mark.

USA dominated Canada for the full 90 minutes, but struggled to open the scoring. The goal for the American team did not come until the end of the second half. After some good finishes, Brandon Vázquez scored with a header in the 43rd minute. However, Canada managed to come back to life in stoppage time, in a match in which they had only given two submissions so far. A stupid penalty for a handball from the Americans allowed Steven Vitória to score in the 48th minute.

The extensions were lively. Goaltender Dayne St. Clair made some good saves for Canada. And the Canucks converted the score four minutes after the second extra time, in an excellent individual play by Jacob Shaffelburg. However, five minutes later, the USA had luck on their side. In a shot saved by St. Clair, the ball bounced off Scott Kennedy and into his own net. Goal against. Survival took on the definition of penalty shootouts and Team USA had their goalie. Matt Turner defended the first two Canadian charges, while Charles-Andreas Brym scored the crossbar again in the last. Triumph by 3 to 2, which takes the Americans to the semi-finals, in search of the second consecutive title in the Gold Cup.

United States vs. Panama and Mexico vs. Jamaica

USA’s semi-final opponent is Panama, seeking their first Gold Cup decision since 2013. Maré Vermelha was unaware of Qatar and gave them a resounding 4-0 beating again on Saturday. Yoel Bárcenas opened the scoring with a header in the 19th minute, in a first half with more chances for the Panamanians. In any case, the elastic score came in the second half, largely thanks to Ismael Díaz. The winger started his show at 11 minutes, with the second goal on the counterattack. Díaz scored one more in the 18th minute, in reserve in the box. Already the triplet of jersey 11 was complete at 20, thanks to a low kick. The Qataris were a punching bag in the final half, with Carlos Queiroz’s defense failing to function.

On the other side of the key, Mexico confirmed their favoritism over hijacked Costa Rica, winning 2-0. The first half didn’t see many finishes, but both teams created each other scoring opportunities and stopped in goalkeepers. Tri’s victory only began to materialize early in the second half, with a penalty conceded by Henry Martín. Orbelín Pineda converted with great class in the seventh minute. The Ticos tried to equalize, but without goal. The Mexicans closed the scoring in the 42nd minute, in a counterattack in which Roberto Alvarado advanced to the bottom line and rolled for Érick Sánchez to finish.

Mexico’s challenge will be even greater in the semi-final against Jamaica. The Jamaicans have recent decisions in the Gold Cup, with runners-up in 2015 and 2017, but they have a more skilled and competitive squad at the moment – especially for Premier League players. The Reggae Boyz also enjoyed a more open course in the quarter-finals, with a 1-0 win over upset Guatemala in the group stage. The first half was balanced and many arrivals, but few concrete chances. The decisive goal came six of the second half. Demarai Gray made an excellent pass and full-back Amari’i Bell infiltrated the box, with the finish in the corner. Andre Blake made some important saves in the Jamaican goal, while Leon Bailey missed a clear chance for the second.